"Falling Off The Exercise Wagon" - Guest Blog

My good friend and Pilates Instructor at Purely Pilates in San Carlos, CA, Jenn Powell, is a guest blogger this week. Check out her blog "Falling Off The Exercise Wagon" and see photos of her puppy, Butterball. For more from Jenn, "Like" PilatesFun on FaceBook or follow her on on Twitter @pilatesfun.

Pilates Stabilization - Balancing the Body

A key benefit of Pilates is “stabilization” or “centering,” conjuring an image of someone standing on one leg like a flamingo. While improved balance is a result, stabilization in Pilates means much more.

The first goal in Pilates is to develop a strong and stable power house. Often described as “the core,” and thought of as the rectus abdominus (the muscle that provides the “six-pack” look), the power house was defined by Joseph Pilates as everything from the ribs to the knees, including obliques, transverse abdominus, back extensors, glutes, hips, and thighs. With his exercises, clients learn to move their arms and legs without moving hips, shoulders, or torso. Side-to-side twists are made at the waist, so shoulders and hips maintain their alignment. Gravity becomes part of the challenge, as clients perform related exercises while lying, seated and standing.

Mat Pilates is the ultimate goal, but Pilates apparatus can also be incorporated to provide resistance that is both challenging and helpful to the client. Springs and pulleys provide tension resistance, in addition to the client’s body weight, enabling clients to attain and maintain positions more easily.

Most importantly, the PIlates method exposes imbalances within the body. Pilates apparatus is especially effective at identifying imbalances within the body. Usually the dominant side is much stronger than the other. Past injuries or other issues can cause additional imbalances or weaknesses. For athletes especially, these imbalances can lead to serious injuries. For non-competitive athletes, these imbalances often lead to overuse injuries, joint and back pain.

Pilates stabilization – building a strong and stable core and balancing the body - improves posture, reduces the chance of injury, and also provides the ability to stand on one leg like a flamingo.

ANSWERS: Pilates Quiz 1 - How Much Do You Know?

Answers and evaluation are below. Leave a comment or send an Email to anybodyspilates@gmail.com if you'd like the quiz to become a weekly feature. Have a great weekend!

Pilates Quiz: How Much Do You Know?

1. Joseph Pilates was born in:

     A. New York (USA)

     B. England (UK)

     C. Germany

     D. Greece

2. Joseph Pilates opened his first Pilates studio in:

    A. 1926

    B. 1940

    C. 1916

    D. 1960

3. Joseph Pilates called his exercise method:

    A. "Pilates"

    B. "The Method"

    C. "Contrology"

    D. "Euro Yoga"

4. Many Pilates exercises are named for animals. Which group are NOT Pilates exercises?

    A. Puppy, Camel, Flamingo

    B. Seal, Crab, Snake (& Twist)

    C. Elephant, Monkey, Frog

    D. Parakeet, Swan, Grasshopper

5. Many Pilates exercises feature the word "spine." Which is NOT a Pilates exercise?

    A. Short Spine

    B. Long Spine Massage

    C. Spine Twist

    D. Spine Stretch & Roll

How Much Do You Know? 
0-1 Correct: Novice: Study Joseph Pilates' book "Return to Life Through Contrology"
2-3 Correct: Basic: A few more sessions at the studio will help
4-5 Correct: Ideal: Keep up the good work!

Pilates Quiz 1: How Much Do You Know?

Answers will be posted later in the week, so check back to see how well you did.

Pilates Quiz: How Much Do You Know?

1. Joseph Pilates was born in:

     A. New York (USA)

     B. England (UK)

     C. Germany

     D. Greece

2. Joseph Pilates opened his first Pilates studio in:

    A. 1926

    B. 1940

    C. 1916

    D. 1960

3. Joseph Pilates called his exercise method:

    A. "Pilates"

    B. "The Method"

    C. "Contrology"

    D. "Euro Yoga"

4. Many Pilates exercises are named for animals. Which group are NOT Pilates exercises?

    A. Puppy, Camel, Flamingo

    B. Seal, Crab, Snake (&Twist)

    C. Elephant, Monkey, Frog

    D. Parakeet, Swan, Grasshopper

5. Many Pilates exercises feature the word "spine." Which is NOT a Pilates exercise?

    A. Short Spine

    B. Long Spine Massage

    C. Spine Twist

    D. Spine Stretch & Roll

The Pilates Power of Ten

Joseph Pilates said, "In 10 sessions, you will feel the difference. In 20, you will see the difference. And in 30, you'll be on your way to a whole new body." 

I've been reminded of the wisdom of that statement several times in the last week. When clients start Pilates, they ask, "How many times a week should I do this?" Some are concerned Pilates is like cardio or weight training and should be spaced out over the course of the week. Many are incorporating Pilates into an already packed schedule, and hoping to see benefits with one visit per week. Clients progress with a visit per week, but benefits are achieved much more quickly if the client visits two or more times per week.

With clients who are in the studio once per week, it often feels like nothing changes. We spend part of each lesson remembering the exercises and reinforcing basic concepts. Often, they don't see visible changes in their shape, muscle tone, clothing and occasionally become discouraged. And yet, whenever we arrive at that magical accumulation of 10 (more) sessions, there is a definitive and noticeable change -- in their form and mastery of the exercises, as well as in their physical appearance. 

So, remember the Pilates Power of Ten and keep up the good work.

Pilates Day Update

OOPS! We forgot to take pictures this morning. Photos from last week are posted on the web site and FaceBook.

Enjoy! 

Happy Pilates Day!

Today is International Pilates Day. 

We are celebrating with a small event. It's also a long-time client's last day with the studio (she's married to a Navy submariner), so it's also a going-away party. 

Have a great day and check back for photos.